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Mayor and Council
Mayor Howard Whent
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Mike Abbott Ken Martin Linda Nowicki Ron Rody
Message from the Mayor
Welcome to Wawa! The area has been described as “Like No Other Place on Earth” by visiting international representatives and the residents of this proud community could not agree more.
The administrative name of the area,
Township of
Michipicoten , has its origins in the Ojibwa language describing the steep cliffs so prevalent along the
Lake Superior shore line. Michipicoten is one of the oldest place names in Ontario and , first appearing on the maps of the early French explorers who were the first to explore the area in the early 1600’s.
The word ‘Wawa’ has its origins meaning “wild goose” and is symbolized by the world famous goose which proudly overlooks the Trans-Canada Highway
at the entrance to the downtown area. The original goose, still on display downtown, was dedicated at the official opening of the
Lake Superior section of the Trans-Canada highway, an event attended by thousands, on September 17, 1960.
The present goose, made of steel to replace the original in the early 1960’s, symbolizes not only the name of the community but the iron mining history of the area which in the earlier part of the last century was the most significant source of Canadian iron, with the first shipment of iron from a Canadian mine (through Michipicoten Harbour) to a Canadian port (Midland, Ontario) in 1902. When the Michipicoten iron mines closed in 1921, this ended all iron mining in until the Helen mine re-opened in 1939 and was not eclipsed until almost a decade or more later when other Canadian sources were brought into production. The century of iron mining ended in 1998 – a proud and long legacy.
Virtually every aspect of northern economic activity, including pre-European First Nations history, is represented in the Michipicoten area. Archeological evidence indicates a First Nations presence from more than 3 000 years ago. Much of our history is related to the land, its resources and the beauty of the area which will continue to be major factors in the future history of this very unique area.
Wawa is a service hub for the ‘northeastern’ Algoma area and provides many services including medical, schools, services and government, IT, public communications (radio, print and on-line), retail, marina and transportation links by road, rail air and water.
Located on the shores of the greatest fresh water lake on Earth,
Lake Superior , steeped in its own history and lore, we invite all to share both our past and our future - as visitors, investors, residents. Truly, Wawa is a great place to live, work and play.
Howard Whent, Mayor |